Pre-Match Thread Gateshead v Southend United, Monday 5th May, 15:00 k.o., NL

[shrimperjon]

Personally think Walker is a better presser than Hopper

Can’t agree with this. Walker is so lazy, Hopper gives a lot more than Walker has done all season

 

[Blues4LifeDan]

The thing is with Leon physically he looks like going full time has caught up with him a bit. Looked knackered 20 minutes in during his last start. He's going to be pivotal for us in the future.

I agree. I've been singing his praises ever since we've signed him, but I'm also realistic regarding where he is at and what he has to work on. This will all improve over the summer with some hard graft. He can be a special player.

However, right now, the KAF, Husin and Coker trio is giving us the energy, spark and quality we need at the moment. It's just amazing that we actually have the likes of Parillon and Cav to bring off of the bench.

 

[Barling Magna]

1,606 making the trip

https://twitter.com/x/status/1918334676965679450

1607 because I'll be incognito in the home fans stand, and I doubt that I'll be the only one - the home stand has a roof, comfortable seats and good catering and toilet facilities ( unlike the away stand). And you don't have to walk all the way around the stadium either.

 

[Strykr]

Interesting to see hopper get more votes then bonne, and not many for parillon

 

[Leigh_Seasider]

More than tempted ! It makes no sense to not field your strongest team—so start Parillon too.

I would guess having won the last two games 4-0 and 3-0, Kev would go for an unchanged line up. Bonne has scored twice coming on as sub and if we’re up against it, a fresh pair of legs in Leon could cause them problems.
I think we’ll see Hopper start and to be honest why not, he worked hard last weekend. Yes he’s not the Hopper of old but still effective in his own way.

 

[Shrimper44]

Ffs we all know what happened last time an American came along to watch us!

and also with the name RON

 

[IloveShrimp]

Last thing we need is for Gateshead to score first and park the bus. We all know that we find it difficult to break down teams who do this.

 

[Roger The Alien]

Brilliant support, but does it matter how many York took?

I referred them, as York was pushing closer to Barnet to win the league (which they didn’t) and are closer to Gateshead.

 

[Barling Magna]

Last thing we need is for Gateshead to score first and park the bus. We all know that we find it difficult to break down teams who do this.

That's not Gateshead's normal way. They score many more goals than us but let in many more too.

However I do have a bad feeling about this. Months ago I wrote on SZ:

"We know what will happen. By some miracle we will go into our final game away at Gateshead just needing a point.

And failing to get it."

Oh gawd.......

 

[Flinty]

That's not Gateshead's normal way. They score many more goals than us but let in many more too.

However I do have a bad feeling about this. Months ago I wrote on SZ:

"We know what will happen. By some miracle we will go into our final game away at Gateshead just needing a point.

And failing to get it."

Oh gawd.......

And you know how football stories are written !

Will Nouble come back to ruin Southend’s dream

Or

Will Southend shatter Cardwells !

 

[Gremlin]

Interesting to see hopper get more votes then bonne, and not many for parillon

A case of not wanting to change a winning formula, I suppose. Until he's acclimatised, Leon's an impact sub for me.

 

[danbowen]

Flying in - American Southend United supporter Ron Bell (Image: CHRIS PHILLIPS)

By Chris Phillips. Chief sports reporter
.
THOUSANDS of Southend United fans will be making the long journey to cheer on the Shrimpers at Gateshead on Monday.

But none are likely to be travelling quite as far as Ron Bell.

The 34-year-old American is heading to the game from Florida and cannot wait to be among Blues fans in the North-East.

“I’m heading over for the game first and foremost but decided to make a small vacation out of it,” said Ron

“I was thinking about waiting until Wembley in a few weeks if we were to make it, but decided to pull the trigger and buy flights literally on Monday for this game.

“We leave Florida on Friday afternoon, head into London on Saturday AM and will spend a day there with my wife.

“We’re likely go to Southend for a night and then head up from London first thing Monday AM to tailgate before the game at a pub somewhere.”

Ron has been to two Southend games already this season but has not been following the club for long.

“This is all very recent,” said Ron

“A buddy I work with was born and raised in Southend and lives there still.

“He got me into following them this season when he came over to Florida for a visit.

“The first game I watched was the 4-3 loss to Charlton in November.

“I then purchased DAZN so I could watch the National League games on Saturday mornings here.”

But Ron soon opted to head to Roots Hall.

“I went to Roots Hall for the very first time in January when I was visiting for work,” said Ron.

“I went to the Tuesday night match against AFC Fylde and was also the 12th man for the Sittingbourne game that Saturday in that terrible loss.

"My Southend buddies bought me the 12th man package as a prank and I didn't know until moments before I was requested to walk out on the pitch.”

Monday will be Ron’s first away game with the Shrimpers and will be joined in the stands by wife Skipper.

“I'm looking forward to going with our Southend fans to the match and looking forward to the train ride up just as much,” said Ron.

“My wife is joining me and she has never been to any games before.

“We are flying all the way from Florida for it so definitely excited.

“I would have to say I'm most excited for my wife to experience a match and the hospitality of the Blue Army.”

And Ron is full of praise for his fellow Shrimpers.

“I just love the fans, they are welcoming and truly, truly love their team,” said Ron.

“They take their football very seriously and that is what has attracted me to the team the most.

“The history of this club including all of the financial troubles it has had over the past years is quite interesting.

“But I'm happy for the football club with the success they are having now and look forward to watching us take Gateshead down on Monday.”

Is he gonna be wearing a MSGA (Make Southend Great Again) hat??

 

[IloveShrimp]

Age and health are stopping us making the trip to Gateshead, and although we will be watching from afar, I've got to say I'm really jealous of all of you lot making the trip and being there live. Safe journey to all going and make us proud on Monday. Just remember where we were before COSU made us believe again.

Same here, its my health preventing me from going.

 

[lreed567]

Can’t agree with this. Walker is so lazy, Hopper gives a lot more than Walker has done all season

A lot of hoppers work goes unnoticed, he had a big part in the second goal against wealdstone last week, winning a header between 2 defenders, that he laid back off for coker, walker wouldn't do that type of stuff

 

[Maldon Shrimper]

Unless injuries come in to play cant see the starting line up being changed.Could see changes on the bench but anticipating no changes all round

 

[It'sGrimUpNorth]

1607 because I'll be incognito in the home fans stand, and I doubt that I'll be the only one - the home stand has a roof, comfortable seats and good catering and toilet facilities ( unlike the away stand). And you don't have to walk all the way around the stadium either.

The only time I’ve gone in the home end was at Brisbane Rd when they were having all the work done (flats on the corner I think). We was given a rather small amount of tickets and the home ends had a fair few shrimpers dotted around.

However I wouldn’t choose to sit in the home ends had if away tickets are available.

Each to their own I guess.

 

[Zeuss]

Interesting to see hopper get more votes then bonne, and not many for parillon

Yes very shortsighted—to overcome -Gateshead will need far better attacking options than our last 2 weak opponents.

 

[Up the Villa]

The only time I’ve gone in the home end was at Brisbane Rd when they were having all the work done (flats on the corner I think). We was given a rather small amount of tickets and the home ends had a fair few shrimpers dotted around.

However I wouldn’t choose to sit in the home ends had if away tickets are available.

Each to their own I guess.

Only time I go in the home end is at grounds like Maidenhead & Boreham wood etc that provide no licensed facilities for away fans (not that I’ve got a drink problem )

 

[overseas shrimper]

The only time I go in the home end is to take it.

Nutter.

 

[Barling Magna]

The only time I’ve gone in the home end was at Brisbane Rd when they were having all the work done (flats on the corner I think). We was given a rather small amount of tickets and the home ends had a fair few shrimpers dotted around.

However I wouldn’t choose to sit in the home ends had if away tickets are available.

Each to their own I guess.

Yes, the last two games at Gateshead I've been in the away "stand" but I'm getting a bit creaky with age now so I decided to choose a more comfortable location where I can actually sit down - the Gateshead fans unlike ours don't stand through the match. I guess it won't be too long before, like RHB now, I'll be unable to travel to matches anymore and confined to watching on the stream.

One advantage of sitting opposite the away stand is that I'll be able to post photos of our fans as we celebrate our victory/draw (or brave our defeat......). I'll need a telephoto lens though.